Fall 2018 - First games 8 Sept

NEW POLICY( March 2017)

If the referee believes a player may have www.cdc.gov/concussion/Headsup/training/index.htmlsustained a concussion, the player will be told to leave the match and may not return to play. Players, coaches and parents must NOT dispute the decision! NVYSL referees have received concussion education and have been instructed to err on the side of caution. Concussions may occur even without a direct blow to the head and symptoms may not be immediately apparent.

REFEREES ( April 2017)

Referees who were unable to attend the pre-season meeting on March 26th need to view the "Heads Up" online concussion education course BEFORE working any assignments this spring. Please email John Carver at president@nvysl.org and Maria Mpelkas at jmpelkas@yahoo.com a copy of your certificate of completion which will identify you by name. You will earn a partial incentive fee of $2/game. The course is available at

NVYSL Grade 3/4 Modifications (August2016)

NVYSL Substitution changes (January2016)

Players may be substituted at any stoppage during a match with permission of the referee.

NEW US Soccer Initiatives for US Youth Soccer

U.S. Soccer Concussion Initiative (January 2016)

Specific changes to rules on heading for youth players. U.S. Soccer modifications to U10 games that intend to limit head injuries during soccer participation.

Subsitution rules will allow players who may have suffered a concussion during games to be evaluated without penalty.

NVYSL Modifications for Grade U12, U10 and U8 play (January 2016)

When a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick (IFK) should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area by a defensive player, the indirect free kick should be taken on the penalty area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If a player does not deliberately head the ball, then play should continue.

U.S. Soccer 2016 initiatives for U12 and U10 (August 2015)

NVYSL will meet these new initiatives, beginning Fall 2016. Grade 5/6 teams will be playing 9v9 and Grade 3/4 teams will be playing 7v7.

All referees should view the video entitled "Ask, Tell, Dismiss" found here.

This is the method the NVYSL wants to adopt to help referees deal with poor conduct by coaches.

The display of cards is only for the players.

However, as a last resort you may display cards if you feel your message to the coach has not been fully understood.